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Phase two of Integrated Safety Management verification audit concludes The Laboratory has successfully met all the review criteria of the Department of Energy's Integrated Safety Management verification audit. The audit was conducted at the Lab between April 16 and 24. To read a all employee memo from Laboratory Director John Browne click here. (Adobe Acrobat required) |
Editors Note: This news story was written by Monica Wenzel of the Environmental Stewardship Office (E-ESO) for the Daily Newsbulletin.
A barrier that leads to success
Plastic used in radioactively controlled areas is one of the largest contributors of low-level waste at the Laboratory.
As a way of reducing the volume of waste going into the waste stream, Solid Waste Operations (FWO-SWO) is using washable contamination barriers instead of plastic barriers. Julie Minton-Hughes and Tim Martinez of FWO-SWO thought of using the washable floor barriers in Technical Area 54 and received a 2001 Pollution Prevention Award from the Laboratory for their efforts toward pollution prevention and waste minimization.
The new washable tarps are placed on the floor or used to build containment structures to prevent the spread of radioactive contamination. Unifirst Corp., which supplies the Laboratory with the material, also will custom-make contamination barriers for any room. The new washable floor tarps are made from Unifirst's toughest fabric, called ImpervaGuard nylon. They are waterproof, rip proof and stay in place on the floor. "They are durable enough that we can have trucks and forklifts drive over them without damaging them," Martinez said.
The original plastic tarps stretched, moved and became very slippery when wet, according to Martinez. Because of wear and tear, they were replaced about once a month. The new washable tarps last more than six months before they are washed and reused.
Use of these contamination barriers could save the Laboratory more than $90,000 per year in reduced low-level waste generation. FWO-SWO has already reduced low-level waste costs by $10,000 per year.
For more information on washable contamination barriers contact Minton-Hughes at 7-5873, or write to jemh@lanl.gov by electronic mail.
For more information on pollution prevention and waste minimization visit the ESO website at http://emeso.lanl.gov online.
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American Indian Heritage Month panel discussion Joseph Chavarria, standing, of Santa Clara Pueblo, used slides to help illustrate the effects of last spring's Cerro Grande Fire on pueblo sacred grounds and property, during a panel discussion last Thursday at the Laboratory. Seated left is Michael Chavarria, also of Santa Clara Pueblo. Both men work for the tribal government's environmental programs office. The panel discussion in the Otowi Building siderooms was the last scheduled event of the Laboratory's celebration of American Indian Heritage Month in April. The American Indian Diversity Working Group, the tribal relations team in the Community Relations (CRO) Office and the Lab's Diversity (DV) Office sponsored several activities in April to mark the observance. Photo by LeRoy N. Sanchez, Public Affairs |
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President Bush this week spoke to students and faculty at National Defense University at Fort McNair in Washington, D.C. about his plans to among other things construct a missile defense system. To read the prepared remarks, click here. |
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Relocation chores Kathy Guillen, left, and Claire Harmon, right, both of Accounting (BUS-1), sort through files during the relocation process as Krissy Archuleta, also of BUS-1, watches. Accounting, which includes payroll, travel and other business related functions, earlier this week began relocating out of the Otowi Building at Technical Area 3. Their new home will be the TRK building located at 195 East Road near the Los Alamos Airport. A map showing the new BUS-1 offices can be found on the Business Operations (BUS) Division World Wide Web page. For more information, or specific questions regarding BUS-1 services related to the move, call the BUS-1 group office at 7-4107. Photo by Michael Carlson, Public Affairs |
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President speaks at
National Defense University
National
Bike Week events
